SWINDON Steam will be celebrated at a special event at the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway this weekend.

The heritage railway, which runs from Toddington to Cheltenham Racecourse, will have five Swindon-built locomotives in steam on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

"We want to give visitors a taste of how things used to be in the days of steam," explained Ian Crowder, the railway's commercial director.

Among the engines will be Foremarke Hall which has just completed a 20-year overhaul at the Swindon and Cricklade Railway.

Also in steam will be two of the Great Western Railway's most powerful locomotives heavy freight engine no 3822 which is on loan from Didcot Railway Centre and Pop Idol Pete Waterman's chunky black tank engine, no 5224.

Mr Crowder said: "There will be lots going on it will be our busiest and steamiest weekend this year.

"It should capture a little of what life used to be like on the railways of the 1940s and 1950s."

Entry to the event is £9 for adults, £7.50 for senior citizens and children and £24 for a family ticket for up to two adults and three children.

Tickets entitle visitors to travel on as many trains as they wish during their visit.

To find out more about the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway, visit the website at www.gwsr.com